Category: 2013 persecution incidents

New petition: SNH, do not licence buzzard culling in Scotland

buzzard 3Following on from the frankly outrageous situation south of the border, where it has been revealed that the UK government’s conservation agency (Natural England) has secretly issued licences, without supporting scientific evidence, to destroy native buzzards’ nests & eggs to protect superabundant foreign gamebirds reared for sport-shooting (see here), a new petition has started in Scotland to let the Scottish government’s conservation agency (Scottish Natural Heritage) know that such a move won’t be tolerated in this country.

Gamekeepers and landowners in Scotland have been lobbying the Scottish government for these licences for at least ten years. For example here is a news report from 2003. We have blogged extensively about the continuous efforts of these organisations who are seemingly hell-bent on continuing the Victorian tradition of killing predators; so far their efforts have been thwarted but for how much longer?

In January this year we blogged about a new scientific paper that discussed how buzzards are only a minor source of pheasant mortality – road traffic, for example, is far more important (see here). We also highlighted in that blog how SGA Chairman Alex Hogg admitted losing 500 pheasant poults to hypothermia last year – perhaps an infestation of buzzards blocked out the sun and caused the low temperatures that killed those young birds.

In March this year we blogged about how Environment Minister Paul Wheelhouse had recently told the SGA that licences to cull raptors would not be issued for the forseeable future due to the on-going incidents of criminal raptor persecution (see here). Since then, there have been a number of persecution incidents – some publicised by the police, some not. There’s one particularly relevant incident that happened before Easter, where, according to local sources, a buzzard was caught in what has been described as an illegal gin trap. It didn’t survive. Why haven’t Police Scotland publicised this incident? In whose interests is it to keep this crime a secret?

It’s a pretty sad state of affairs that this issue is still at the top of the agenda, in this, the so-called Year of Natural Scotland.

Please sign the petition here

You might also want to email Environment Minister Paul Wheelhouse to let him know your views on the issue of buzzard licensing in Scotland and ask him whether he’s aware of the buzzard that was caught in an illegal trap in Scotland more than eight weeks ago:  ministerforenvironment@scotland.gsi.gov.uk

Peregrine euthanised after being shot

A peregrine falcon has had to be euthanised after being found injured. The bird had been shot. The incident was reported to the police in Abergavenny in Monmouthshire, south Wales on Monday.

We don’t have any further details.

UPDATE: Gwent police are appealing for info. The bird was found in the Pandy, Abergavenny area. Call police on 101 with info, quoting ref 353 20/5/13.

Environment Minister’s response to continuing raptor persecution

On October 10th 2012, one month into his job, Environment Minister Paul Wheelhouse made the following statement in response to the huge public uproar about the death of the Deeside eagle (see here) –

“The unlawful killing of any raptors has no place in today’s Scotland and we will continue to work hard to eradicate this criminal activity. We believe that the partnership approach with the Partnership for Action Against Wildlife Crime (PAW) Scotland, is bringing the reduction in bird of prey poisoning that can be seen in the statistics in recent years. However we are not complacent and if there is evidence of a switch to other methods of persecution we will take action to bear down on those methods“.

He made a further statement on 28th November 2012 following the discovery on an Aberdeenshire estate of a hen harrier that had been shot dead (see here) –

“We will not tolerate the illegal persecution of protected species such as the hen harrier and, as I have said recently in relation to another shooting [presumably the shot golden eagle found critically injured on an estate in south west Scotland – see here] I am prepared to look at further measures to strengthen and assist enforcement if we continue to see this flouting of the law in respect of protected species“.

Since then a number of further persecution incidents have taken place, some of which have made it into the public domain, whereas others are still being treated as closely-guarded secrets by Police Scotland (why is that, several months after the crimes were discovered?). The ones that have been publicised include:

1. A dead buzzard at Glasserton Estate, Whithorn that was discovered in December 2012 but not reported in the media until 6 March (see here). The press release was vague but we assume this buzzard had been poisoned judging by the location of known poisoning incidents that were included in the PAW Scotland 2012 poisoning maps.

2. A dead buzzard that had been found by the side of a road in Stirlingshire in early February 2013 – later tests showed it had been shot (see here).

3. A dead buzzard that had been found near St Mary’s Loch in the Borders in early March – it had been shot (see here). Following this incident, we tweeted Paul Wheelhouse and asked him if he was ready to take the action he’d promised (see here). He replied: “I will say more when I have a full briefing but my first reaction is instinctive – I’m both disgusted and very much angered“. Seven weeks later we’re still waiting for his statement.

In early April it was reported that the shot golden eagle that had been found on a grouse moor in south west Scotland had finally succumbed to its injuries (see here). This news prompted us to encourage readers to write to Paul Wheelhouse, again, and ask him whether he was now ready to take the action he’d promised. We know that over 100 of you sent emails to him. In early May he responded. The following email is an example of one of the generic responses that were sent out by his aide:

Thank you for your letter to the Minister for Environment and Climate Change, Mr Paul Wheelhouse. I have been asked to respond.

The Minister was saddened to hear that the golden eagle in the care of the SSPCA had to be put to sleep on veterinary advice, due to underlying health conditions as it had been hoped initially that the eagle would make a full recovery. This case involves an ongoing Police and SSPCA investigation, so further comment on that incident is inappropriate.

The Minister welcomed a reduction in confirmed poisoning figures for raptors in March 2013, however he did recognise that other forms of persecution do exist and he has already committed to looking at the development of further measures to end raptor persecution if other methods of persecution prove to be on the increase. Vicarious Liability provisions which came into force in 2012 are still to be tested in court and it is critical to assess the impact of the legislation by this means.

The difficulties in prosecuting wildlife crimes are well documented. Recognising the specialist nature of the investigations required, and legislation covering such criminality, the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service created specialist wildlife and environmental fiscals in 2011. Police reform has also implemented changes with regard to the structure and coordination of wildlife crime officers with a net increase in officers with relevant responsibilities. These changes combined will continue to shape improvements in wildlife crime detection, investigations and prosecutions.

Tackling wildlife crime is a priority for the Minister and he stands by previous comments that he is not prepared to allow these crimes to continue unabated, and without consequence. Partnership working via the Partnership for Action Against Wildlife Crime (PAW) Scotland, which is chaired by the Minister, is key to progress and this path will also continue to be used to deliver a reduction in wildlife crime.

Yours faithfully,

Karen Hunter

Wildlife Crime Policy Officer

It seems to us that Paul Wheelhouse is good on rhetoric but not so good on action. Very disappointing but not at all surprising. It’ll be interesting to see how he responds when he hears about the other examples of ‘continued flouting of the law’, that have happened right under his nose. He might want to have a chat with Police Scotland and ask them what they’re keeping from public view, and why……

Dead buzzard found with beak bound closed with twine

buzzard beak boundDerbyshire Constabulary are appealing for information about a dead buzzard that was found with twine forced through a hole in its beak to bind it shut.

The bird was found by a member of the public on April 11th on land near Turnditch. Police wildlife crime officers are working with the RSPB to investigate the circumstances of this bird’s death.

Wildlife Crime Officer PC Emerson Buckingham said: “This bird was most probably alive when it was attacked and may have starved to death as it would have been unable to eat or drink with its beak bound“.

Interestingly, Turnditch is just down the road from Idriedgehay and Kirk Ireton where a total of six buzzards were found poisoned in 2010 (see here).

Anyone with information is asked to contact PC Buckingham on (Tel: 101) or the RSPB (Tel: 0845 466 3636).

Well done to Derbyshire Constabulary for the publicity on this disgraceful crime. Press release here.

Thanks to @HowardJones88 for passing on the link to us.

Shot buzzard in North Yorks – 4th in 4 months

Buzzard shot Farndale 2013A press release in the Northern Echo reports that a buzzard has been found shot just north of Kirbymoorside in Farndale, North Yorkshire. Gunshot was found in the bird’s wing and bone fragments were sticking out of the injury. It is believed to have been in that state for ten days before it was picked up. Unfortunately its injuries were so severe it had to be euthanised.

The press release doesn’t provide any details about when this buzzard was discovered, other than sometime in the last four months, although we know from another source that it was 14 April.

Interestingly, PC Stewart Ashton of North Yorks Police is quoted as saying: “This is the fourth buzzard to have been shot in Ryedale over the past four months“.

So where was the publicity for the other three shot buzzards? We don’t recall seeing any media about those incidents. A quick look on the North Yorks Police website shows their last reported shot buzzard dated 4 November 2011 (see here).

It’s not the first time we’ve wondered about delayed or vague press releases from this police force, for example, see here, here and here.

At least the press release about this latest shot buzzard is timely. The RSPB has also put up a £1,000 reward for information leading to a conviction. Article in the Northern Echo here.

Golden eagle population in south Scotland close to collapse

Poisoned golden eagle Borders 2007An article in the Scotsman today suggests that the recent death of the shot golden eagle (see here) signals ‘disaster’ for the species in this region.

We would agree with that, although we disagree with the figures used to support the statement.

RSPB Scotland has warned that the latest death puts the future of the species in the area at risk, with the number of breeding pairs in the south at “less than half of what it should be”, down from around ten to just three or fewer.

Actually, based on the extent of suitable habitat, the target number of breeding territories (for the species to achieve a favourable conservation status in the region) has been estimated at 17 (see the Golden Eagle Conservation Framework below).

We know of only four currently occupied territories in southern Scotland. Of these, two are occupied by single adults and two by breeding pairs. Of the two breeding pairs, only one pair has been productive in recent years.

We understand the shot golden eagle was an adult male. Was he part of the one remaining  productive breeding pair in the whole of southern Scotland? We’re hearing unconfirmed reports that only one adult has been seen this spring in the one occupied (productive) breeding territory. We’ll have to wait a while longer for this to be verified.

The article also suggests that the national golden eagle population has remained stable in recent decades, around 420-440 known breeding pairs. This is actually quite misleading. Yes, the figures suggest a stable population but what they don’t reveal is that this is a suppressed population, being held at a level well below what it should be, largely prevented from growth by illegal persecution. A conservative estimate of known or potential golden eagle territories throughout Scotland has been estimated at 716 (see the Golden Eagle Conservation Framework below).

The article includes a facile quote from Scottish Land and Estates, who seem to ignore the unfolding disaster in southern Scotland and instead talk about the work their members are doing in the north. Sure, there are some enlightened landowners helping golden eagles in the north, but the evidence suggests they are heavily outnumbered by those who are not.

It’s been five years since the Golden Eagle Conservation Framework was published. That government-funded study demonstrated that golden eagles were in favourable conservation status in only 3 of 16 regions nationwide. The report concluded that the highest national priority for the conservation and management of golden eagles in Scotland was to tackle persecution in the areas where it still persists.

Last Friday, when we reported on the death of the shot golden eagle, we encouraged readers to contact the Environment Minister to urge him to take the action he promised last year if persecution incidents continued. According to our site stats, we know that over 70 of you have now used the direct email link to send him a message. We also know that many more have contacted him without using the direct email link. If you haven’t already done so, please consider contacting him: ministerforenvironment@scotland.gsi.gov.uk. This surge of messages should let him know our strength of feeling on this issue. We’ve had enough and we expect our elected representatives to respond.

Article in the Scotsman here

Golden Eagle Conservation Framework here

Norfolk man arrested over ‘haul of dead birds of prey’

norfolk constabularyThis is never-ending.

Press release from Norfolk Constabulary:

“A 64-year-old man was arrested on Thursday [4 April] on suspicion of a number of wildlife offences.

It follows a police investigation that was assisted by officers from Natural England and the RSPB.

The bodies of over a dozen birds of prey were recovered from the Holt area.

The man was also arrested on suspicion of breaching pesticide regulations. The man, who is also from the Holt area, has been bailed until 22 May while further enquiries are carried out”.

It’s not clear from this press release what species of dead raptors were discovered, or how they died. The alleged pesticide breach may or may not be connected. Nevertheless, well done to Norfolk Constabulary, Natural England and the RSPB Investigations Team. Good to see this information being released at this stage. Take note, Police Scotland!

Two dead buzzards found in suspicious circumstances in North Wales

Police in North Wales are investigating the discovery of two dead buzzards found at a nature reserve at Oakenholt, on the Dee Estuary near Flint Marsh.

The birds were found by a member of the public on Friday (5th April) and police suspect foul play, saying “It is highly likely they have been shot or poisoned“. The birds have been taken for post mortems and toxicology tests.

Well done to Sgt Rob Taylor, Wildlife Crime Officer for North Wales Police, who is warning the public not to touch dead birds and to keep their dogs away from carcasses in case poison has been used. Great to see a press release appear so quickly after the discovery of the birds.

Full details available here

Another shot buzzard found dead: central Scotland this time

Another shot buzzard has been found dead, this time near Thornhill, Stirlingshire.

The bird was found on the road (A873) near Loch Ruskie on 2 February. A later examination revealed it had been shot.

Central Scotland Police have put out an appeal for information – see here, although this doesn’t seem to have been picked up by the press as the appeal is dated 14 Feb 2013.

We believe this is the same buzzard that was reported to us by a blog reader on 2nd Feb. The person who found the bird had noticed that its injuries looked to be consistent with being shot, and they took it home, put it in the freezer and wrote to us about it. We passed on the info to the relevant authorities and it’s pleasing to see it was followed up. Well done to all those involved and particularly to the person who found the bird and had the sense to collect it and report it.

So, in the space of 48 hours we’ve blogged about two police appeals for information about two illegally-killed buzzards. Neither of these birds will appear on the 2013 poisoning maps – giving a pretty clear example of how unrepresentative those maps are in terms of reflecting the extent of illegal raptor persecution incidents.

Welcome to the Year of Natural Scotland.

Again, Environment Minister Paul Wheelhouse, we ask you when you’re going to take the action you promised you’d take if persecution incidents continued? How about now?

Statement expected from Environment Minister on shot buzzard

Following yesterday’s story on the shot buzzard found dead in the Scottish Borders, we tweeted Environment Minister Paul Wheelhouse and asked him this:

@PaulWheelhouse Minister, are you now ready to take the action you promised? Another raptor crime on your watch.

To his credit, he responded this morning:

@RaptorPersScot I will say more when I have a full briefing but my first reaction is instinctive – I’m both disgusted and very much angered.

We wait with interest…